March 19, 2024

Council looks to fill open seat by appointment

The Newton City Council will look to fill the vacant council seat by appointment at its Aug. 7 meeting. The at-large seat opened with the resignation of councilwoman Lin Chapé on July 11.

“This is a position that will be done in December of this year,” councilwoman Evelyn George said.

According to Iowa Code, a city council may choose to fill the vacancy of a seat by appointment. In order to begin the process, council approved city staff to publish a notice of intent to fill the seat by appointment.

Any citizen interested in the position must submit their name, address, phone number and a brief biographic history to the city clerk at city hall, 101 W. Fourth St. S., no later than 4:30 p.m. Aug. 1.

After reviewing all submissions, council will appointment a temporary council member during its Aug. 7 meeting.

Councilman Craig Trotter questioned the reasoning behind appointment with the election less than four months away and the council still maintaining a quorum. According to Iowa Code, the council has a 60 day deadline to appoint someone to fill the seat before the process begins to hold a special election to fill the seat. The proximity of the election to the resignation does not have any barring on the council’s need to fill the seat.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at
641-792-3121 ext. 6534
or jpierson@newtondailynews.com